A Tribute to Angel Buford

Today's post is all about my little bright light. Miss Buford.

Here she is sitting in all her beauty in one of her favorite places. The quilts on top of the cedar chest by the windows.

Miss Buford found John on a summer's day. She strolled into our yard and was hiding in the bushes. She gave him a little scare when she jumped out as he was trimming them. Ran right up to him as if to say, "Hello! I'm here. What's for supper?"

Part Maine Coon and full of love.. that was Buford. She had been abandoned by her previous owners. Left alone outside, declawed and her family not coming back. She quickly won a place in our hearts and our home. She claimed us as hers and never looked back. We brought her inside where she filled our hearts with love for the next 10 years.

Buford had such amazing qualities. Her total devotion for one, her love of cuddling (24/7 if she could), the way she would jump from the floor into your arms. I remember one time just her and I were home. I was standing at the stove cooking and the next thing I know I felt what I thought were hands on my shoulders! I screamed. Buford ran for cover. She had jumped up on my back. But since I was turned toward the stove and she hadn't made a sound I didn't know until I felt her paws.. not someone's hands at all. Freaked us both out. Then we laughed and laughed. Ok, I laughed and laughed.

I have a video of me vacuuming her. She loved to be vacuumed. First cat I've ever had that didn't think the vacuum was a scar-wee big creature out to get them.

In a lot of ways she was like a dog in a cat suit. She would come when called. Beg for what she wanted. Wait at the door when she heard you coming home. She was my best friend, my sweet devotion, my one true thing. I miss her with all my heart.

Miss Buford got her wings eight years ago today, while laying in my lap, at home. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. To say goodbye. But she was losing her battle with cancer and she needed to be free to go to her peaceful place.

I miss the heavy soft feel of her in my lap. I think of her most days and always wish I had just one more day.

I love you Miss Buford,

Mommy

The Power of Meow

Meows are not created equal. Those of you who are cat owners, uh, owned by cats know this. Each cat has his or her own unique voice.

Take our Buddy's meow for example. He's got this very dramatic I NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!!! sort of meow. He uses his outside voice inside. And no matter how many times I've heard the meow, I go running to see what's wrong. And each and every time there he sits in the middle of the room with not a thing the matter. Entertain me!! Entertain me!!!

Me: "Buddy... it's 5am.. what *is* the problem?"

Buddy: "Problem? What problem? I don't have a problem. But since you're up, could you go ahead and toss me my toy?"

And so it goes, day after day. And still I never learn.

"Whew, I need to rest a little.. all this meowing has worn me out!"

Yesterday we made what seems like a weekly trip to Home Depot. Picked up a new garden hose on this trip. Have you noticed the warnings on the garden hoses these days? {Don't drink from this hose} When I was little we drank from the hose all the time. Of course that might be what is wrong with me today.

Anyway, I digress. So we got this hose. John hooked it up. I came inside because I was about to burst into flames. So I didn't really see the hose until today. I went outside to water and I swear I almost fainted on the spot!!!! I thought the hose was this huge snake. Scared the bejesus out of me. It's a wonder I didn't fall and break something. Not in the yard.. on me!!

The hose is like a dark charcoal gray and it has this greenish stripe along the side of it. I didn't see the stripe on it when we bought it. It was all twisted up nice and neat so you couldn't see it until you unrolled the thing.

So I ran inside to tell John the hose scared me. I thought it was a snake. He sorta laughed and said, "yeah I know". Huh? Like he already realized this and said nothing. Oh, ok... so now I'm planning my revenge. Did I say revenge. Sorry, I meant my REVENGE. ;-)

Until next time,

Hannah